오염환경에 서식하는 토착미생물은 환경정화에 중요한 역할을 담당하며 이 연구는 6가 크롬 오염 지하수에서 분리한 미생물을 이용해 반응성, 이동성, 발암성 높은 6가 크롬을 당대사 조효소인 3가 크롬으로 환원/침전시켜 경제적, 친환경적, 생지화학적 정화의 효율성을 알아보았다. 미생물 농화배양과 조성분석, 호기와 혐기환경의 6가 크롬 환원과 내성, 전자공여체별 6가 크롬 환원, 지화학적 변화, 미생물 외형과 Cr((III) 침전물의 광물특성을 연구한 결과, 분리한 MMPH-0(Enterobacter aerogenes)는 혐기/호기환경에서 6가 크롬 내성과 환원능(유기산 주입 1주 후 70%, 주입 안한 경우 4주 후 10 ~ 20%)이 있고, Eh는 미생물의 유기산 산화로 생성된 전자에 의해 산화에서 환원환경, pH는 중성에서 약산성으로 변화되어 $Cr(OH)_3$/Cr(III)침전물이 형성되었다. SEM/TEM-EDS 결과 $2{sim}5{mu}m$ 막대형 미생물과 세포 밖 Cr(III) 침전물은 지화학적 환경변화와 유기산 산화에 따른 전자공여에 의한 환원의 근거가 된다. 지화학적 촉매제 토착미생물의 활성화로 산화환원에 민감한 중금속 오염 지하수 정화에 효율적 기술 응용이 기대된다.
Indigenous bacteria isolated from contaminated sites play important roles to remediate contaminated groundwater. Chromium has the most stable oxidation states. Cr(VI) is toxic, carcinogenic, and mobile, but Cr(III) is less toxic and immobile. In this study, indigenous microorganism (MMPH-0) was enriched from Cr(VI) contaminated groundwater, and identified by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Using MMPH-0, the effect of stimulating with e-donors (glucose, lactate, acetate, and no e-donor control), respiration conditions, biomass, tolerance, and geochemical changes on Cr(VI) reduction were investigated in batch experiments for 4 weeks. The changes of Cr(VI) concentration and geochemical conditions were monitored using UV-vis-spectrophotometer and Eh-pH meter. And the morphological and chemical characteristics of MMPH-0 and precipitates in the effluents were characterized by TEM-EDS and SEM-EDS analyses. MMPH-0 (Enterobacter aerogenes) was able to tolerate up to 2000 mg/L Cr(VI) and reduce Cr(VI) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. MMPH-0 performed faster and higher efficiency of Cr(VI) reduction with electron donors (over 70% after 1 week with e-donor, 10-20% after 4 weeks without e-donor). The changes of Eh-pH in effluents showing the tendency from oxidizing to reducing condition and a bit of acidic change in pH due to microbial oxidation of organic matters donating electrons and protons suggested the roles of MMPH-0 on Cr(VI) in the contaminated water catalyzing to transit geochemical stable zone for more stable $Cr(OH)_3$ or Cr(III) precipitates. TEM/SEM-EDS analyses of MMPH-0 and precipitates indicate direct and indirect Cr(VI) reduction: extracellular polymers capturing Cr component outside cells. These results suggested diverse indigenous bacteria and their biogeochemical reactions might enhance more effective and feasible remediation technology of redox sensitive heavy metals in metal-contaminated in groundwater.
